In Tirana, Albania, citizens participated in a pivotal parliamentary election on Sunday, marked by dynamic campaigns centered around Albania’s aspirations to join the European Union and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s pursuit of a fourth term. Following the closure of polls at 7 p.m., Albania began the crucial 48-hour vote counting period to determine the 140 parliament members for the next four-year term.
Albania, a nation with a population of 2.8 million, surprisingly has around 3.7 million registered voters due to extensive emigration. Notably, this election saw the diaspora, approximately 191,000 people this election cycle, being granted the opportunity to vote by mail for the first time.
The ruling Socialist Party, led by Rama, has maintained its commitment to securing EU membership within a five-year timeframe, competing against conservative forces who offer alternative promises such as salary increases. This election is further diversified by the introduction of new political parties, enhanced social media campaigning, and a TikTok ban, adding layers of unpredictability to the outcome.
Violence was minimal, aside from a few minor confrontations involving candidates and their supporters nationwide. Initial reports suggest a voter turnout of 41.4%, which represents a 4% decline from the 2021 elections. Ilirjan Celibashi, the head of the Central Election Commission, remarked that the process largely adhered to the established rules and standards.
Prime Minister Rama, 60, who initiated EU membership talks last year, emphasized his administration’s progress in infrastructure and judicial reform as part of his campaign platform. Albania’s journey toward EU membership continues under the scrutiny of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, who stresses the necessity of ongoing reforms in governance and anti-corruption efforts.
Rama’s primary political rival is the 80-year-old Sali Berisha, a former president and prime minister, who questions Albania’s preparedness for EU membership. Initially borrowing a slogan from former U.S. President Donald Trump, he modified it to “Make Albania Great Again” before settling on “Grandiose Albania.” Berisha identified himself on the ballot with a blue cap sporting the No. 1, while Rama chose a black cap marked with No. 5, representing the Socialist Party.
Berisha has confidently asserted his party’s victories in traditional center-right areas and insisted that vote counting proceed without undue pressure, stating, “Nothing can change. People have spoken decisively.”
Economic concerns have been a focal point of both campaigns. The Socialists propose to catalyze a tourism expansion, boasting a target of increasing annual arrivals from 10 million in 2024 to 30 million by 2030 through the development of infrastructure projects. In contrast, the Democratic Party blames current governmental inadequacies for the exodus of over a million Albanians over the last decade.
In his appeal to voters, Berisha urged them to consider their personal and familial futures, including their prospects for salaries, pensions, employment, business opportunities, and agriculture. Both major parties presented parallel proposals for enhancing minimum pensions, average monthly salaries, and minimum wages by approximately 20%, yet analysts like Lutfi Dervishi view these promises with skepticism, predicting static outcomes from the elections.
Despite advances in reducing corruption over the previous decade, as reflected in a climb from 116th to 80th in Transparency International’s index, corruption remains a significant barrier to European integration. Judicial reforms initiated in 2016 have led to legal challenges for several high-ranking officials, albeit corruption allegations still haunt candidates from both leading parties.
Social media has emerged as a central tool for engaging voters, with Prime Minister Rama maintaining daily Facebook livestreams. In contrast, opposition leader Berisha has also utilized this platform, though to a lesser extent. The government’s decision to impose a 12-month TikTok ban, attributed to combating incitement and online harassment, has been criticized by opposition parties as suppressive.
Political rhetoric throughout the campaign has been tense, with Rama labeling Berisha a “swamp owl,” a euphemism for corruption, and Berisha countering by accusing Rama of being a “chief gangster.” The election process remains under scrutiny, with over 570 international observers present, anticipating to give an update post-election.